Intercellular signaling stabilizes single-cell level phenotypic transitions and accelerates the reestablishment of equilibrium of heterogeneous cancer cell populations.

ABSTRACT: Cancer cells within tumors exhibit a wide range of phenotypic states driven by non-genetic mechanisms in addition to extensively studied genetic alterations. Conversions among cancer cell states can result in intratumoral heterogeneity which contributes to metastasis and development of drug resistance. However, mechanisms underlying the initiation and/or maintenance of such phenotypic plasticity are poorly understood. In particular, the role of intercellular communications in phenotypic plasticity remains elusive. In this study, we employ a multiscale inference-based approach using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data to explore how intercellular interactions influence phenotypic dynamics of cancer cells, particularly cancers undergoing epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Our inferen

SUBMITTER: Lopez D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11722408 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature